What are the 6 C’s of care?

What are the 6 C’s of care?

 In Blog, Moving into Care

The 6 Cs of Care: Essential Values in Health and Social Care

Understanding the 6 Cs in Health and Social Care

The 6 Cs of care—Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment—form the cornerstone of high-quality care in the UK’s health and social care sector. These guiding principles ensure that everyone receiving care is treated with dignity and respect while benefiting from the most effective practices.

In today’s evolving care landscape, these values designed by the NHS elevate both the care experience and the professional practice of care workers. Understanding these principles is essential whether you’re a care provider, seeking support for yourself or a loved one, or simply interested in how excellent care services operate.

The 6 Cs of Care Explained

Let’s explore each of the 6 Cs to understand their individual importance and collective impact on care delivery:

Care

“Care is our core business” is a fundamental principle within the NHS. It involves tailoring support to each individual’s health and social needs. True care extends beyond the treatment of ill health to promote wellbeing throughout all stages of life. High-quality care empowers individuals to remain active, connected, and independent within their communities.

Compassion

Compassionate care means treating individuals with genuine kindness, respect, and empathy. It requires care professionals to truly understand how people perceive their care and preferences to deliver person-centred care. When care staff demonstrate genuine compassion, people feel truly valued in their care experience.

Competence

Competence in the care sector signifies having the knowledge to deliver effective care and treatments based on best practice. Health and social care workers continuously develop their expertise to provide the best care possible and ensure positive outcomes for those they support. Competence is as important as the treatment itself.

Communication

Clear, respectful communication is essential for building trust in care settings. Whether between care professionals and those receiving care, within teams, or with families, effective communication ensures everyone is informed and involved in decisions about their care. Listening is as important as what we say when providing high-quality care.

Courage

Courageous care involves speaking up for what’s right, advocating for improved practices, and challenging anything that compromises the standard of care. It requires the people we care for to be brave enough to suggest improvements, report concerns, and embrace innovation at all levels within the care sector.

Commitment

Commitment goes beyond dedication to a job. It represents a deep desire to improve the quality of care, continuously learning, and upholding the highest values in health and social care practice. Committed care workers are passionate advocates for the people receiving care expect and the care they deliver helps achieve positive outcomes.

Why the 6 Cs Values in Health and Social Care Matter

The 6 Cs aren’t just aspirational values; they have a transformative impact on the entire care experience:

Improved Quality of Care Provided

When health and care professionals consistently embody these principles, the direct result is significantly better care provision. People receiving care benefit from personalised support, feel respected, and experience the benefits of evidence-based practice. This approach translates to better health outcomes and a more positive care experience.

Empowering Care Workers

Working within a framework that emphasises such values is deeply empowering for those working in the care sector. The 6 Cs validate their dedication, provide guidance for their actions, and foster a sense of purpose in their challenging roles. Care workers may find renewed meaning in their work.

Maintaining High Standards

These principles serve as a benchmark for quality across all care settings. They hold every care provider accountable for upholding these principles. This accountability drives continuous improvement and ensures that compassionate care remains the unwavering standard that people care expect.

The 6 Cs in Different Care Settings

To truly appreciate the power of the 6 C’s of care, let’s see how they might appear in different health and social care environments:

Hospital Setting

  • Care: A nurse carefully assesses a patient’s specific care challenges and tailors a pain management plan accordingly.
  • Compassion: A doctor takes time with an anxious patient, explaining a diagnosis in clear, empathetic terms.
  • Competence: Registered healthcare professionals attend training to learn the latest techniques to deliver effective care and treatments.
  • Communication: Staff across departments collaborate to ensure a smooth transition from surgery to recovery.
  • Courage: A healthcare assistant notices a potential error and speaks up, preventing a medication mistake.
  • Commitment: A manager mentors new staff, ensuring they understand health and social care values.

Care Home Setting

  • Care: A care worker learns about a resident’s life story and helps them maintain their health and care in new ways.
  • Compassion: Staff create an environment where residents feel safe and understand an individual’s health concerns.
  • Competence: Carers with care qualifications receive regular training in dementia support.
  • Communication: Staff involve residents in every care decision and actively listen to families’ concerns.
  • Courage: A staff member speaks up about a potential issue, prioritising resident wellbeing.
  • Commitment: The care home invests in ongoing development and seeks feedback to enhance care provision.

The Origins and Impact of the 6 Cs

The 6 Cs initiative emerged from a recognised need to elevate standards across the health and social care sector. Prior to their introduction, there was no unified framework for defining the essential elements of high-quality care.

NHS England Chief Nursing Officer Jane Cummings spearheaded the development of the 6 Cs as part of the compassion in practice strategy. Through collaboration with health and care professionals, these core values were established to guide all aspects of care throughout the system.

Since their introduction, the 6 Cs have had a transformative impact on the UK care landscape. By providing a clear benchmark, they have led to measurable improvements in how people experience care, staff morale, and the overall quality of care provided.

The 6 Cs for Different Stakeholders

The 6 C’s of care important values hold immense significance for everyone involved in care and support:

For Care and Support Professionals

Whether you’re a healthcare professional or a support worker, the 6 care values provide a clear framework for delivering effective care. They serve as a reminder of your crucial role in ensuring that those looked after with care receive the highest level possible.

For People Receiving Care

You have the right to expect that your care needs will be met with dignity, respect, and genuine compassion. These principles affirm your right to be an active participant in decisions about the care they receive.

For Families

When seeking support for a loved one, these values offer a valuable tool for evaluating care and support services. Understanding these principles empowers you to partner with health and social care professionals and ensure your loved one receives the care they deserve.

The Global Influence of the 6 Cs

The UK’s work with the 6 Cs has inspired care providers to think about health and care in new ways around the world:

  • Australia: Their healthcare rights outline principles of safety and respect.
  • Canada: Many services promote values like compassion and accountability.
  • Wales: Care Inspectorate Wales has adopted similar principles for regulating providers.

While implementation may vary, the underlying principles have universal resonance. Global collaboration continues to advance care provision worldwide, focusing on the health of the whole community.

Embracing the 6 Cs: The Path to Excellence

The 6 Cs represent a vision for high-quality care that benefits everyone in the health and social care system. By championing these values, we contribute to building services where compassion is at the core.

Remember:

  • These principles ensure care is person-centred and based on best practice
  • Health and care professionals find fulfilment by embodying these values
  • People have the right to expect care aligned with these standards

Whether you’re providing or receiving support, let these values guide your experiences. Together, we can ensure that care is of the highest standard possible.

Experience Compassionate Care with Lidder Care

At Lidder Care, we’re committed to providing high-quality care that embodies all 6 Cs in every interaction. Our care experts deliver compassionate care at both Newgate Lodge care home and Lowmoor nursing home in Mansfield.

We understand that finding the right care home is an important decision. Our dedicated staff are trained to provide personalised support that respects individual preferences and promotes independence.

Discover how our approach to care can make a difference for you or your loved one – contact us today to learn more about our services.

Connected Organisations and Further Reading

Government and NHS Resources

Professional Bodies

Advocacy and Support

Additional Resources

Keep up to date with the latest Lidder Care news!